Crapemyrtle plant named ‘Gamad I’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of crapemyrtle,  Lagerstroemia indica×L. fauriei , which is characterized by compact-mounded growth habit; bronze-green emerging leaves, lustrous dark green in summer, yellow-orange-red in fall; high leaf powdery mildew and  Cercospora  leaf spot resistance; glossy red buds; cherry red flowers that are colorful from mid-July to early September in Athens, Ga.

Botanical classification: Lagerstroemia indica×L. fauriei.

Varietal denomination: crapemyrtle Gamad I.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of theornamental flowering shrub Lagerstroemia indica×Lagerstroemia fauriei,commonly known as crapemyrtle, and hereafter referred to by the varietaldenomination ‘Gamad I’.

The new crapemyrtle originated from open-pollinated seed of ‘Pocomoke’(unpatented) a compact, rose-pink flowered introduction in 1999 from theUnited States National Arboretum (USDA). The inventor was grantedpermission by Dr. Margaret Pooler, Research Geneticist at USDA, toutilize the germplasm to develop new dwarf cultivars. ‘Gamad I’ was theonly true red-flowered seedling from 2000 seedlings of ‘Pocomoke’ andwas selected by the inventor in August, 2002 at the Center for AppliedNursery Research, Dearing, Ga.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the cultivar ‘Gamad I’ have not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as light-intensity, temperature andcultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

The following characteristics have been consistently observed and, tothe best knowledge of the inventor, are the unique characteristics of‘Gamad I’ as a new and distinct cultivar.

-   -   1. Compact-mounded habit.    -   2. Bronze-green new leaves; glossy dark green at maturity;        yellow-orange-red coloration in autumn.    -   3. High leaf mildew, Cercospora leaf spot and flea beetle        resistances.    -   4. Glossy red buds open to cherry red flowers in mid to late        summer.

Plants of the new crapemyrtle have been compared to the only truegenetic dwarf crape myrtles known to the inventor, Lagerstroemia‘Chickasaw’ (unpatented) and ‘Pocomoke’. Comparative evaluations incontainers and in the ground at Athens, Ga. showed that ‘Gamad I’differed from ‘Chickasaw’ and ‘Pocomoke’ in the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of ‘Gamad I’ produced true cherry red flowers compared        to the pure lavender-pink flowers of ‘Chickasaw’ and the deep        rose-pink flowers of ‘Pocomoke’.    -   2. Plants of ‘Gamad I’ maintained cleaner, i.e. less diseased        and flea beetle injured foliage than ‘Chickasaw’ and ‘Pocomoke’,        into late October.    -   3. Plants of ‘Gamad I’ grew faster and filled the 11.8 liter        containers faster than ‘Chickasaw’ and ‘Pocomoke’, yet        maintained the dense, compact-mounded habit without pruning.    -   4. Plants of ‘Gamad I’ flowered about two weeks later than        plants of ‘Chickasaw’ and ‘Pocomoke’ and remained effective into        early September while ‘Chickasaw’ and ‘Pocomoke’ ceased        flowering by mid August.

Asexual reproduction via tissue culture and by traditional vegetativecuttings since August 2002 in Athens, Ga. has shown that the uniquecharacteristics of this new crapemyrtle are stable and reproducedtrue-to-type in successive generations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the uniquecharacteristics of the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the photograph may differ from the color values listed in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new crapemyrtle.

FIG. 1 Illustrates a two-year-old plant in the ground, Athens, Ga.,August, 2004.

FIG. 2 Illustrates a close up showing flower buds, open flowers, flowersshowing yellow stamens, and summer foliage.

FIG. 3 Illustrates the fall foliage.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The botanical description of ‘Gamad I’ is based on three-year-oldplants, growing in 22 liter containers in an outside nursery researchfacility in Athens, Ga. (USDA Zone 7b) under conditions which closelyapproximate commercial production. Measurements are based on the averageof 10 to 20 samples, and were taken throughout the main growth period,from March through September in Athens, Ga. Colors are based on TheRoyal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 1995 edition.

The plant has a compact mounded growth habit with extensive branching,attaining an average height of 73 cm. and width of 100 cm.

First year stems are round, 1.0 mm in diameter, with internode lengthsof 3.5 to 13.5 mm. They are Grey-Brown, 199D in color, and the bark isexfoliating in strips.

Second year stems are 3 mm in diameter, with color Grey-Brown N 199D toGrey-Brown 199D with stripes of Brown 200C. The bark exfoliates instrips.

The vegetative buds are sub-opposite to alternate in arrangement, ovoidin shape, 3 mm in length and 1 mm in width, with no pubescence, and thebud scales are Grey-Brown N 199B in color.

The mature leaf, measured in the middle section of first year stems,averages 21 mm in length and 13 mm in width.

The leaf is obovate, with an accuminate apex, acute base and entiremargin. The emerging leaf (March-April in Athens, Ga.) is Greyed-Purple183B to Yellow-Green N 144A to Yellow-Green N 144D on both upper andlower surfaces. In summer (July), the upper surface is Green 137A andthe lower surface is Green 137C. In the fall (November), the leaves showa rainbow of colors, with the upper surfaces ranging from Yellow-Orange16A to Yellow-Orange 21B to Red 53A to Greyed-Purple 187A and lowersurface from Yellow-Orange 16C to Yellow-Orange 22B to Red 53B toYellow-Green 146C.The leaves are arranged sub-opposite to alternate on the stem and areleathery, thick and very shiny. The venation is pinnate and the veincolor is Yellow-Green 144A. The petiole is 1 mm in length and 1 mm indiameter, oval in cross-section shape with fine pubescence andYellow-Green 144A in color.

The shiny flower buds are 6 mm in length and 6 mm in width, round inshape with no pubescence, and are Greyed-Red 180A in color.

The flowering period is from mid July to early September in Athens, Ga.The inflorescence averages 7.5 cm in length and 6.7 cm in width, and aplant in a 11.8 liter container carries 25-30 inflorescences. The coloris Red 53B in full bloom, fading to Red 46A. There are 15-20 flowers perinflorescence. The peduncle is finely pubescent and is Greyed-Purple183C in color.

The petals average 2 cm in length by 1.5 cm in width, are fan-shapedwith a ruffled, rounded apex, sagittate base and ruffled margin. Thereis no pubescence. The color of both upper and lower surfaces at peak ofbloom is Red 53B.

The pedicels are 5 mm long, with no pubescence and are Greyed-Red 181Ain color.

There are 20 to 30 stamens. The anther is 1 mm in length and 1 mm inwidth, and Yellow-Orange 14A in color. The filaments average 8 mm inlength and 0.3 mm in width and are colored Red 39C at the top, fading toYellow-White 158D at the base. The pollen in Yellow-Orange 14A in color.

The superior pistil is 1.5 cm in length and 0.5 mm in width. The stigmais round in shape, with no pubescence and Yellow-Green 148A in color.The style is 1.5 cm in length, round in shape, and Greyed-Red 179A incolor, with no pubescence. There is a single ovary, oval to rounded inshape, with no pubescence.

The mature fruit is a six-valved dehiscent, broad ellipsoidal capsule,measuring 6 to 8 mm in length and 6 to 8 mm in width, prior todehiscence. The color is Brown 200A. There are multiple seeds percapsule, averaging 6 mm long, and 3 mm wide, with a membraneous wing.The color of the seed is Brown 200A, and the wing is Grey-Brown 199D.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of crapemyrtle plant named ‘Gamad I’,substantially as illustrated and described.